Five hundred animals could be at risk as Freshfield's animal rescue hits "crisis point".
The rescue centre based in Formby fell under threat this week after a lack of funding left them in need of £50,000 to stay afloat.
Staff were left "devastated" by the news, which came shortly after the rescue celebrated 40 years in business this year.
Fundraising manager Emma Jensen says the thought of the rescue having to close its doors is "unthinkable".
But without the urgent cash, animals such as Neo - a dog brutally treated by his owner - could be at risk of being left without the care they need.
Neo was "one of the worst cases" staff at the rescue had ever come across when he was first out in their care back in June 2018.
The Staffordshire Bull Terrier was viciously attacked by his owner with an axe, leaving him with a catalogue of horrific injuries.
However, thanks to the rescue centre taking him in, Neo's condition has improved dramatically and he now enjoys walks in the fields surrounding the centre and a snooze in the sun.
The rescue care for a whole variety of different animals from cats, dogs and horses to hedgehogs, wild birds and farm animals.
Fundraising Manager, Emma Jensen, 47, said: "We've been sensible and had plenty of reserves over the last few months but that's getting to a really worrying position now.
"Unfortunately through no fault of our own we have an issue with the processing of legacies.
"We're 30% reliant on gifts in wills but the whole system for processing them has been centralised and theres been a glitch in that system meaning the solicitors are four months behind, [there are] 250,000 cases waiting to be processed.
"We daren't even think about having to close our doors on our 40th birthday - we want to be here for another 40 years."
The 47-year-old added: "One of the things that people really value about our service is that we never put a healthy animal down.
"Everyone says if only everyone donated £1 then we'd be fine but that approach never happens.
"So we are begging people please get on your phone and donate us £1 because together all those drops make an ocean."
To donate to Freshfields animal rescue call 01286 880808, contact them on twitter @Freshfieldresc or click here.
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